!YMMV tropes for ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries''
!!Tropes with their own pages:
[[index]]
* [[HilariousInHindsight/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries Hilarious in Hindsight]]
* [[Narm/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries Narm]]
[[/index]]
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* AccidentalAesop: Don't skip classes like Peter or your grades will suffer.
* AccidentalInnuendo: Spider-Man's first fight with the Rhino has this gem as Rhino is getting ready to skewer the wallcrawler..
-->'''Rhino:''' Let's get this over with! I gotta polish my horn!
* AdaptationDisplacement:
** This show's take on the black costume's origin is more remembered than the original from ''ComicBook/{{Secret Wars|1984}}'', to the point it has a LiveActionAdaptation in ''Film/SpiderMan3''. The version in ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' followed similar beats, but was TruerToTheText in other details (the Symbiote could take over Spider-Man’s body in his sleep and had an urge to bond with him) and borrowed elements from ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan''.
** ComicBook/TheKingpin for a time became better known as a Spider-Man villain, which is fitting since he made his first appearance in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #50 and was chiefly a Spider-Man villain before [[RoguesGalleryTransplant being associated]] with the ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' franchise.
** The Golden Age heroes from the "Six Forgotten Warriors" arc are best associated with their appearances in this adaptation due to their comic book counterparts from Marvel's Timely Comics era falling into obscurity after 1940s, much like the heroes did in-universe.
** Spider-Man's "Man-Spider" mutation is much better known from its appearances in the cartoon than the relatively obscure storyline from the comic anthology ''Marvel Fanfare'' that it originally appeared in.
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: During a battle with the Insidious Six, Peter's powers go out and he is unmasked by the group as Spider-Man. Doctor Octopus immediately convinces the others that he can't be the real Spider-Man because he wasn't nearly as formidable and even prevents Shocker from hurting him while praising his former student's ingenuity. Was he actually fooling himself based on Peter's currently weakened state? Or did he suspect that Peter might have been Spider-Man all along and was doing his best to cover for him in that moment?
* AudienceColoringAdaptation: In terms of Venom and the alien symbiote story arc. Most of the adaptations of the character and arc use this show's version as a basis instead of the original comics, with elements like the symbiote coming from a space expedition by John Jameson, the black suit making Spider-Man more aggressive, and Venom being more ruthless and straight-forwardly villainous in nature.
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
** The show's opening theme. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGN9fZvQhc Takes you back, huh?]]
** The closing credits version, which somehow manages to be even more nostalgic than the opening. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt7tVxO48n8 "Spider blood, spider blood, radioactive spider blood..."]] Fun fact: The themes were performed by [[Music/{{Aerosmith}} Joe Perry]]. That cements its awesomeness.
** The ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'' theme in "The Mutant Agenda".
** Captain America's {{Leitmotif}}. Especially when he confronts the Red Skull.
* BadassDecay: Several villains. The Lizard in particular gets this bad past his initial appearance.
* BaseBreakingCharacter:
** The Kingpin. Some regard him as an effective BigBad, while others believe that he became ''far'' too overused over the course of the series, especially at the expense of other villains.
** This series' version of Morbius the Living Vampire is quite a divisive character. A lot of fans were annoyed that he wasn't allowed to bite anyone or explicitly refer to feeding on blood because of censorship issues, but there are some who think that the censorship changes of having him suck human plasma through holes in his hands actually made him satisfyingly creepier than his comic counterpart. Him, albeit unintentionally, coming between [[FanPreferredCouple Spidey and Cat]] also doesn't help, with many a viewer grinding their teeth at the sight of Felicia deciding to run off with him instead of remaining in NY with Peter.
* BestKnownForTheFanservice: For many fans who grew up on this show, this incarnation of Black Cat's [[AmazonianBeauty alluring physique]] and [[ArousedByTheirVoice sensual voice]] are the most memorable things about her.
* BrokenBase:
** The quality of episodes after [[FirstInstallmentWins the first season]]. Some fans think that the show [[GrowingTheBeard grew the beard]] after the first season with its story arcs, CharacterDevelopment, and focus on Peter's personal life, while others think that the show declined in quality, citing bad animation, constantly recycled footage, the overuse of the Kingpin, Morbius or Madame Web and more space and vampire stories.
** Christopher Daniel Barnes as Spider-Man. About half the fanbase thinks that he is the definitive voice for Spider-Man, as Kevin Conroy is the definitive voice for Batman. The other half thinks that Barnes was way too melodramatic as Spidey and his voice didn't fit Spidey at all.
* CantUnHearIt:
** Creator/ChristopherDanielBarnes is tied with Creator/JoshKeaton as the voice that is most fondly associated with Spider-Man.
** As her StarMakingRole, Creator/JenniferHale's voice is very easy to recognize for the Black Cat.
** Roscoe Lee Browne IS The Kingpin for many fans.
** Ditto for Creator/MarkHamill as Hobgoblin (it helps that he has the same voice as [[ComicBook/TheJoker Hamill's OTHER famous role]] from [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries another superhero cartoon that aired around the same time]]).
* CompleteMonster: See [[Monster/MarvelAnimation here]].
* CreepyAwesome: Carnage, before and after his transformation, due to his sheer batshit insanity.
* DamselScrappy: Mary Jane Watson unfortunately fills this role throughout the series alongside being a SatelliteLoveInterest to Spider-Man. It comes to a head when [[spoiler:she falls into a dimensional portal and is still stuck in limbo]].
* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** This show certainly played a large role in promoting Hobgoblin and Shocker into the limelight. The former being ironic, considering [[http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/interviews/sempergoblin/ the producer outright hated the Hobgoblin]] and only included him because of decisions his predecessor made.
** Daredevil's solo appearance takes the best bits from his backstory, and distills them into a concise, tightly-written two-parter. His honesty, good nature, sense of humor, and remaining idealistic despite the odds makes him a very likable character. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Shame his spinoff series never went off the ground]].
** [[LargeHam J. Jonah Jameson]] has always been a key figure in Spidey mythos, but the more sympathetic FreudianExcuse he had here for his dislike of Spidey also managed to net him fans. Creator/EdwardAsner's performance as Jonah is particularly a fan-favorite.
** [[ComicBook/BlackCat Felicia Hardy/Black Cat]] is a character from the comics that was very popular with the fans due to her well-written chemistry with Spidey, sexy voice, sympathetic backstory, likable personality, and [[MsFanservice beautiful]] [[AmazonianBeauty design]]. Creator/JenniferHale’s performance as both Felicia and Black Cat is also very well-liked to the point of which she occasionally tends to reprise her as the character in video games.
** This series's version of Venom is usually the one every Marvel property since has borrowed from, even more than the original comic incarnation, and with good reason. This cartoon fleshed him out a lot more than any of the comics of the time did, to the point even his movie borrows from his storyline!
* {{Fanon}}:
** It's generally agreed by fans and casual viewers that the actor Spider-Man from the Clone saga arc is Creator/TobeyMaguire. It's highly unlikely the creators had this in mind, as the character debuted in 1998 while ''Film/SpiderMan1'' wouldn't come out until 2002.
** Another theory, and what was probably intended, is that the actor was supposed to be Chris Daniel Barnes himself, though not a lot of backstory is given to make any conclusive judgements on who exactly he is behind the mask.
* FanPreferredCouple: It’s not hard to find fans who would have preferred Peter hooking up with Felicia Hardy instead of Mary Jane. Reasons for that include Felicia being considered a more well-rounded and interesting character, her and Spider-Man having stronger chemistry and a more fleshed-out and intimate relationship, and that’s all ''before'' she becomes Black Cat, which only makes their chemistry and compatibility stronger (also helped by Black Cat undergoing AdaptationalHeroism), while MJ is often viewed as little more than a DamselScrappy and SatelliteLoveInterest.
* FashionVictimVillain: When "in persona", the Spot appears as a bald human being who is completely white from head to toe, whilst covered in large black spots. [[BewareTheSillyOnes Though it's likely intentional]].
* FightSceneFailure: The show had a number of heavily castrated fight scenes due to heavy censorship refusing to let Spider-Man throw a punch when battling villains. Pretty much all of the fights are done with Spider-Man's webbing. Very rarely you'll see an actual punch in a WhamEpisode, such as when the Green Goblin abducts Mary Jane and takes her to a bridge many comics fans recognized...
** And that's before you get into the StockFootage [[StockFootageFailure abuse]] of the later seasons.
* FirstInstallmentWins: There are fans who see the first season of the show as the one with the most memorable and well-written episodes, like "The Night Of The Lizard" and "The Alien Costume Saga", and with the best animation in the entire series. The following seasons are more [[BrokenBase divisive]].
* GatewaySeries: For many kids, this was their first exposure to Spider-Man and its mythos. While it certainly took liberties with the comics, the results generally work well, all in all providing a good jumping off point for a fan.
** To many, this was also a GatewaySeries for the entire Marvel universe in general. Introducing the viewer to characters such as the X-Men, Daredevil, The Punisher, Blade, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, and Captain America, thanks to their guest spots on this show.
** This was especially the case in the former Eastern Bloc, where superhero comics were unknown until the Iron Curtain fell in the 1990s, which resulted in...
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The series has something of a cult status in {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} and other post-Soviet countries, such as Ukraine or Kazakhstan. As one of the first Western animated series that appeared on Russian TV after the Soviet Union collapsed, it served as an introduction to the entire ''concept'' of superhero stories for the young post-Soviet generation. To give you an example of how iconic it is: to this day, [[{{ComicBook/Venom}} Venom]] is sometimes referred to not by his usual Russian name (which is just ''Веном''[[note]]Venom[[/note]]), but by the DubNameChange he received in the animated series, ''Черная Смерть''[[note]]Chornaya Smert, literally ''Black Death''[[/note]].
* HarsherInHindsight:
** In one episode, a disfigured former actress tried to transfer her mind into Mary Jane's young and beautiful body, only to be told by Mysterio that such a thing was scientifically impossible. In ''Comicbook/SuperiorSpiderMan'', [[spoiler:Doc Ock uses this trick on Peter... and it works.]]
** The final episode has [[spoiler: Stan Lee remark that Spider-Man isn't the character he used to write anymore, with Spider-Man responding "What can I say? We all have to grow up someday, even we characters of fiction!" This remark stings for many fans in the 2000s and onward who believe that the editors and writers at Marvel refuse to let Peter Parker actually mature and still write him as if he's a teenager, hence things like [[ComicBook/OneMoreDay ending his marriage with Mary Jane]].]]
** This show's version of the Black Marvel is an African-American man who kept his true identity a secret due to the potential racist backlash he would have received during the 40s. These days, [[AffirmativeActionLegacy non-white legacy characters]] and [[RaceLift non-white interpretations of traditionally white characters]] have often been met with a great deal of hostility from certain segments of superhero fandom. In Marvel Canon, the same concept was used for the [[ComicBook/AdamLegendOfTheBlueMarvel Blue Marvel]], who kept his identity a secret due to racial tension of 1960s except his identity was revealed after his mask was damaged, resulting in him being forced into retirement.
** In the season 3 episodes "Venom Returns" and "Carnage" Carnage would try to free the eldritch demon, Dormammu. Later on in the comics Carnage would go on try to do the same for two other similar dark entities, [[ComicBook/{{Carnage|2015}} Chton]] and [[ComicBook/AbsoluteCarnage Knull.]] Like in the show Eddie Brock through a HeroicSacrifice was able to stop Chton but unfortunately wasn't able to stop Cletus from freeing Knull.
** This series was made while David "Microchip" Lieberman was still working with the Punisher as an ally and is portrayed as such here. Right around the time their appearances here came out, Micro in the comics pulled a FaceHeelTurn and eventually [[spoiler:got killed.]]
** In the 2-parter crossover episode with the X-Men, we get a first glimpse of [[Film/XMenFirstClass Beast being a former]] BoomerangBigot.
** An example that doesn't so much require "hindsight" as "watching the news": season 5 premiere "The Wedding" has Jameson reference "that Princess Di thing" in reference to her elaborate royal wedding in the 80s. In September 1997, when it was first broadcast, that line would more likely bring to mind her dramatic death two weeks previously. The line was cut from re-runs but appears on Disney+.
** This series has Mary-Jane being brought back only for it to turn out to be [[spoiler:a clone who dies. A similar idea was used in the comics, except this time it was Harry Osborn. Also, while ''Spider-Man Unlimited'' implies the Peter of this show did eventually find MJ, the comics state that the real Harry is very much dead.]]
* HeartwarmingInHindsight: In the fifth season we discover how Uncle Ben came up with "great power comes great responsibility" creed, [[spoiler:as it turned out his best friend, Keene Marlow was also a superhero himself, and now his own nephew ended up being a superhero too.]]
* HypeBacklash: As fondly remembered the show is and how great its version of Spidey is, there are many people who believe that the series can feel dated and doesn't hold up much today in terms of quality due to often questionable animation, sketchy character development, and ExecutiveMeddling preventing many stories from reaching their full potential.
* IronWoobie: The Scarlet Spider. He's been through all the same trauma that Spider-Carnage has, but somehow came out okay.
* JerkassWoobie:
** J.Jonah Jameson's distrust and dislike of Spidey make much more sense when we learn that his wife was killed by a masked gunman.[[note]] It's worth noting that this idea was created by the series; Jameson's reason for his hatred for Spidey in the comics (at least, probably before retcons) was basically "he's altruistic, which is something I can never be."[[/note]]
** The scene where Kingpin's wife leaves him is surprisingly sad and is the one time the Kingpin shows actual remorse for his actions.
** Venom. Sure he went off the deep end in his first appearance, but it was motivated by the loss of his job, apartment, and reputation (albeit with his own share of blame for his poor journalistic ethics screwing him over for his second and final chance with the Bugle). In his second appearance, it's established he's cooled down quite a bit without the Symbiote. Even when he merges with it again, it's purely out of protection for his girlfriend, and later implied to be from the shared knowledge he gained from Peter. As a result, he gets a very tragic DisneyVillainDeath.
** Morbius was introduced as an arrogant jerk and a romantic rival for Felicia Hardy, and he proceeded to steal Peter's blood in his attempts to get ahead in their 'rivalry,' but the rivalry is because he needs funding to find a cure for a plague afflicting his home country, and he goes through more than enough bad karma by being turned into the TV-Y7 version of a vampire and eventually further mutated into a bat beast right in front of Felicia.
** Scorpion, to a lesser extent. He’s violent, vindictive, and a dangerous criminal, but he was pushed around all his life and was subject to painful mutations that drove him insane, and he is continuously thwarted at being turned back to normal, which is the only thing he wants.
** Richard Fisk by the end of "Man Without Fear." He's the unrepetent underling to Kingpin and they appear to actually have a stable relationship despite being both being criminals, until his own father lets him take the fall for his crimes.
* JerksAreWorseThanVillains: One would be hard-pressed to find any villain in the series[[note]]the only one that comes close is Morbius who is hated for his story and character being seen as cheesy and {{Narm}}y rather than for being evil[[/note]] who is hated more than Mary Jane's Aunt Anna. While the comic version of Anna was a ShipperOnDeck for Peter and MJ, [[AdaptationalJerkass the show's version is a cantankerous woman who never seems to have a kind word to say about Peter and even went as far as blaming him both times Mary Jane went missing]]. That the second time unintentionally resulted in The Punisher going after Peter didn't help either. This is due in part to FourthWallMyopia -- the audience knows that Peter is a good and honest man but from Anna's perspective, Peter is an irresponsible guy with a weird habit of running off or showing up late and seems to have a dark secret he isn't letting anyone in on. Another factor is that the writers don't put as much effort into making Anna seem sympathetic or even entertaining like they did for J. Jonah Jameson, who is also a {{Jerkass}} and is even responsible for creating the Scorpion, yet has other aspects that make him fun to watch.
* MagnificentBastard:
** Wilson Fisk is a wealthy philanthropist, but is known amongst the criminal underworld as [[Characters/MarvelComicsTheKingpin the Kingpin]] of crime. [[FromNobodyToNightmare Crawling out of life of impoverishment and constant abuse]], Fisk became the head of a worldwide criminal empire using the skills he honed in prison. From his headquarters within the Empire State Building, Fisk has the various gangs and supervillains in New York [[TheManBehindTheMan under his thumb]]. He supplies those under his employ with weapons in exchange for their complete loyalty, while taking great care to ensure they remain utterly dependent on him. Despite the constant interference of superheroes like Spider-Man, it's never enough to loosen the Kingpin's grip over Manhattan. His [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney wealth]] and [[VillainWithGoodPublicity public image]] allow him to avoid the consequences of his actions, even if it means sacrificing the ones he loves the most. With schemes such as forming the Insidious Six, to framing others for his crimes, to even attacking the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier; Fisk isn't afraid to get his hands dirty in his pursuit for absolute power.
** [[Characters/MarvelComicsVenom Venom]], aka [[Characters/MarvelComicsEddieBrock Eddie Brock]], begins as an EvilCounterpart of Spider-Man seeking vengeance against him. He consistently defeats Spider-Man in combat and nearly reveals his identity, whilst maintaining an influence over his life to torment him, even invading his loved ones' privacy. Becoming Baron Mordo's servant, he quickly betrays him and Dormammu once his debt is paid to continue his pursuit of Spider-Man. When the symbiote acts against his will, Eddie separates from it, only considering rebonding due to the threat Carnage poses. Pretending to concede when warned about the fatal consequences of rebonding, Eddie returns as Venom despite the risks and forges an EnemyMine with Spider-Man and Iron Man to defeat Carnage. While an enemy to Spider-Man, Venom shared his desire to protect the innocent, ultimately [[HeroicSacrifice falling into a dimensional rift with Carnage]] to save his psychiatrist Ashley Kafka.
* MemeticMutation:
** Morbius ''hungers for PLASMA!''
** Spidey screaming "[[https://youtu.be/sMk-HPBF6Mw SHOOOOOOOOCKERRRRRRRR!!!!!!! YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME! I'll CHASE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EEEEAAAAARTHH!!!]]"
** Spidey's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l3Bo1MK9_Q This is starting to sound like a bad comic book plot!]]" in the two-part finale was already a TakeThat to ''ComicBook/TheCloneSaga'' in the comics, but has been used often by fans to express dissatisfaction with any bad storytelling in comics, particularly after its usage as a running gag in WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall.
** Venom driving a truck while chasing Spidey qualifies as this.
** Kingpin's telling of his origin story, where as a child he was "lonely, ostracised, because of my weight". This has led to many viewers making bafflingly diminishing jokes at Kingpin's backstory, consistently declaring that Kingpin became a crime lord and ruined God knows how many lives all because he was too fat to climb a ladder.
*** Thanks to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql2zKS_bdfE one video in particular]], it's especially common for fans to joke that everything in Kingpin's life (including things that have nothing to do with his criminal career) is "because of his '''WEIGHT.'''"
** Spider-Man's BigNo when [[spoiler: Mary Jane's clone melts away.]]
* MoralEventHorizon: If Kingpin didn't already cross it by the time Daredevil made his appearance, he certainly did after letting his son be convicted of his own crimes to keep his reputation clean. He justifies this with the coldly-delivered "sacrifices must be made", in essence doing the exact thing his father did to him, without any remorse to speak of except for the knowledge that his son will likely come back for revenge on him later. And this was after when Fisk expressed pride in how he was a better parent than his own father.
* {{Narm}}: Has its [[Narm/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries own page]].
* NarmCharm: One of those scenes, the ever-memed "SHOOOOOOOOCKERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!", elicits this reaction from many, as it really does illustrate the sort of disturbing yet nonsensical shouting someone losing their grip would come off like.
* NeverLiveItDown: The aforementioned "SHOOOOOOOOCKERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!" scene from "The Alien Costume Part 2." Whenever fans bring the show up in a discussion, it's only inevitable that someone is going to reference this moment in response.
* OlderThanTheyThink:
** Spider-Man teaming up with various alternate versions of him from different realities? Forget ''Spiderverse'', either the [[ComicBook/{{SpiderVerse}} crossover]] (2014) or the [[WesternAnimation/{{SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse}} film]] (2018). Forget even ''[[VideoGame/SpiderManShatteredDimensions Shattered Dimensions]]''. This show did it first.
** The Prowler being portrayed as having a criminal record as a thief here comes long before the Aaron Davis incarnation of the Prowler.
** Whilst the series is widely regarded as creating the concept of both Man-Spider (a Spider-Man that has mutated into a humanoid spider) and Spider-Carnage (Spider-Man possessed by the Carnage symbiote), they both actually debuted in the comics. Spider-Carnage first appeared in the four-part storyline "Web of Carnage", which was released in April 1996 across 4 titles: ''Sensational Spider-Man'' #3, ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #410, (Adjective-less) ''Spider-Man'' #67, and ''Spectacular Spider-Man'' #233. Man-Spider, in contrast, debuted all the way back in ''Marvel Fanfare'' #2 in ''1982''.
* TheProblemWithLicensedGames: There was a licensed game based on the cartoon that was released on the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem. It was criticized for its overly complicated gameplay, subpar sound effects, an overused storyline, and subpar graphics. The game was a CreatorKiller for publisher Creator/{{LJNToys}}, as poor sales and critical reception helped kill the publisher.
* ReplacementScrappy: Landon for replacing Smythe.
* RetroactiveRecognition: In his guest appearance, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is voiced by Creator/DavidHayter. This was before he developed his signature guttural style best heard in his performance as [[VideoGame/MetalGear Solid Snake]].
* TheScrappy:
** The cab drivers from the episode "Attack of the Octobot", ''especially'' Mousie. It's mostly due to their annoying voices and the fact that they were all [[EthnicScrappy ethnic stereotypes]].
** '''Anna Watson''', an ObnoxiousInLaws that has nothing but bad things to say about Peter in spite of the fact that Peter was never anything but courteous towards her. It doesn't help that the Anna Watson from the comics was ''nothing'' like this.
* SignatureScene: For better or worse, Spider-Man screaming, ""SHOOOOOOOOCKERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!"
* StarTrekMovieCurse: Season 1, 3 and 5 are usuallly ranked much higher than Season 2 and 4. While the first season lacks the story arcs of the later seasons, it's fondly remembered for having many well liked episodes and for how it introduced its characters. Season 2 on the other hand is less popular, as while it had a few well liked episodes such as the two part crossover with ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'' many didn't enjoy the "Neogenic Nightmare" storyline of the season. Season 3 meanwhile is much more well liked for its "The Sins of the Fathers" arc, which many found more thematically interesting especially since it can be applies to a larger variety of characters as opposed to neogenics, which was more specifically tied to characters with origins similar to Spider-Man's. It helped that this season not only had some fan favorite episodes, but it also finally introduced the Green Goblin and had a memorable conclusion. Season 4 suffered from a lack of direction with its "Partners In Danger" arc, as while it did introduce Black Cat who fans liked the season mainly brought back some of the weaker elements from Season 2 such as Morbius. It didn't help that the storyline of Spider-Man relationship with Black Cat was rendered pointless when she left, with the show then continuing the storyline of Season 3 for the last couple of episodes. Season 5, while not considered as good as Season 3 and suffering from an infamous cliffhanger ending, is more enjoyed for having several different story arcs that had the character interact with a variety of different heroes and villains, culminating in the first ''ComicBook/SpiderVerse'' storyline in the character's history.
* StockFootageFailure: An infamous case occurs in the second part of the "Insidious Six" arc. Spider-Man, who is currently powerless due to his mutating genetics, effortlessly dodges Doc Ock's arms via StockFootage from the Doctor Octopus episode. The writers noticed this problem and attempted to [[{{Handwave}} explain it away]] by having Peter note that he still has some of his spider-agility left, [[VoodooShark but]] Spider-Man [[ForgotAboutHisPowers does not use it again]] against the other villains.
* TakeThatScrappy:
** Spidey's tirade against Madame Web matched what many viewers felt about her. And she actually doesn't enter Spider-Man's life, at least until the "Secret Wars" episodes. Which she says she foretold about before leaving.
-->'''Spider-Man:''' I am ''tired'' of you... and your riddles. And your ''lessons!'' And your SUPREME ARROGANCE! Don't you ever, EVER enter my life again! Do you hear me? DO YOU HEAR ME!?
** "The Return of Hydro-Man part 1", Peter finally gets sick of Anna Watson's rudeness to him and rightfully calls her out on accusing him of not caring for Mary Jane. She even looked briefly surprised.
* UnexpectedCharacter: In the GrandFinale, Spidey went to an alternate universe where he met [[spoiler:Gwen Stacy, who was unexpected because there was no appearance or even mention of any Gwen Stacy in that series until then]]. Audiences who knew nothing of comics didn't even understand the significance which Spider-Man hangs a {{Lampshade}} on:
-->[[spoiler:'''Spider-Man:''' ''(thought)'' Great, Parker, you're engaged to a girl you never even met.]]
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Harry Osborn doesn't come off too well in this show. He's meant to be a JerkassWoobie as per usual, but he gives into evil and insanity ''way'' too quickly in "Return of the Green Goblin". It doesn't help that in the season before this, he acted spiteful toward Peter for "stealing Mary Jane" from him, as if she was an object he had ownership of, ignoring the fact that MJ broke up with him and then got together with Peter by her own free will without Peter having done anything. And then when he learns that Peter and MJ are getting married while he's getting psychiatric help, he ''willingly'' accepts the Green Goblin's help, crashes the wedding, and threatens to ''blow up the church'' [[IfICantHaveYou if MJ doesn't marry him instead.]]
* TheUntwist: The identity of the Hobgoblin, thanks to Mark Hamill's distinctive voice. Even the credits didn't try to hide it!
* ValuesDissonance: In the season 1 finale, the fact that [[MasterOfDisguise Chameleon]] kissed Mary Jane (without her consent) while pretending to be Peter, is PlayedForLaughs. It is almost like a G-rated version of the BedTrick from ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'' and will probably not be played this way in a SaturdayMorningCartoon now.
* VillainDecay: Many of the villains within the course of the show suffered this. Most glaring would be:
** Dr Octopus, who became a mere flunky for the Kingpin, even giving up on his plans to become TheStarscream shortly after the time he got ''defeated by a child.''
** Hobgoblin, who was revealed to be nothing more than a petty crook and a wuss in his last appearance. Ironically this is true to the Jason Macendale/Hobgoblin of the comics.
** And Alistair Smythe, who TookALevelInBadass by becoming a mutant and leaving the Kingpin's services only to end up becoming a flunky for Silvermane in an even ''less'' important position than he was as the Kingpin's lackey.
* TheWoobie: True to the comics, the sheer amount of crap poor Spidey gets put through over the course of this show, particularly from the second season onwards, is unbelievable.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Partially due to the prominence of the [[SpotlightStealingSquad Kingpin]], and partially due to several story arcs that don’t involve them, Spidey’s usual nemesis; Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and Venom, feel rather underutilized in the series, especially Venom.
** Venom makes a solid debut in season one as a formidable adversary and a great {{Foil}} to Peter Parker/Spider-Man, along with several episodes prior building up Eddie Brock’s hatred for Spider-Man, but after getting defeated and having the symbiote sent back into space, we don’t see Eddie Brock/Venom again until season 3, where he gets a rather abrupt LoveRedeems arc and promptly performs a (non-fatal) HeroicSacrifice, never to be seen again, not even an alternate version of him in the show's GrandFinale.
** Doctor Octopus gets the most screentime out of the three but is ultimately relegated to just being another villain Spider-Man fights. The villain’s debut does try to paint him as a BrokenPedestal, since young Peter knew him from science camp and Octavius helped to inspire Peter’s love for science, but while this was a good foundation for making their relationship more personal and compelling, the subsequent seasons don’t really do anything with that dynamic and at best, pay lip service to their past, thus reducing Doc Ock to little more than a vengeful, rampaging MadScientist.
** Green Goblin arguably comes out the best, as his usual beef with Spider-Man gets explored…but only over the course of 3 episodes midway through the series before Goblin gets stuck in limbo and becomes an EvilMentor to his son Harry, making his initial rivalry with Spider-Man feel rushed and it doesn’t truly earn Goblin calling himself Spider-Man’s “[[InformedAttribute greatest enemy]]”. Part of that is due to ExecutiveMeddling preventing Green Goblin from being introduced in season one (as the showrunner intended) and Norman's SanitySlippage and his feud with Spider-Man being built up more over the course of the series.
* {{Woolseyism}}:
** In the Russian dub, a direct translation of "venom" wouldn't match the lip movements, as well as sounding somewhat awkward. What did they change it to instead? The admittedly cooler name, "Black Death". In later translations, his name was translated as "The Death Bringer".
** Also in the Russian dub, all mentions of "plasma" was changed to "blood". Mentions of deaths also were added.
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